Research Online Masters in Clinical Laboratory Science. If you took a science course during your undergraduate studies and really took a liking to hands-on scientific investigation, you may be wondering if it's possible to take your love of research even further - maybe even into a professional capacity. Fortunately, clinical lab science is a well-represented field at the graduate level.

Online Clinical lab sciences masters programs might be a great way for students to develop and hone their investigative skills, build a knowledge base to help them pursue potential career opportunities in science or medicine, or simply learn more about the inner workings of the world around them.

Common coursework for an Online Masters in Clinical Laboratory Science

While there are sure to be slight differences between masters programs offered by different schools, in general, there are a few basic points that the vast majority of them will have in common when it comes to curriculum and coursework. Common masters course requirements in a clinical lab sciences masters program might include:

Research Methods

Hematology

Histopathology

Immunohematology

Diagnostics

A strong undergraduate background in math and natural sciences might serve as a huge asset for clinical lab sciences graduate students. In fact, some schools may even require prerequisite credits in these areas. However, other schools might simply be seeking students who have a demonstrated ability to handle the rigors of a heavy academic course load regardless of field of study.

As you might expect, students who pursue studies in clinical lab sciences

spend a considerable amount of time working in a lab setting hands-on with specimens. In general, these programs tend to be lighter on writing assignments due to the stronger focus on practical learning.

Potential career opportunities in

clinical lab sciences

Graduates of an Online Masters in Clinical Laboratory Science program might choose to pursue potential career opportunities in the health care field. In fact, the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that as of 2012, roughly 50 percent of medical and clinical laboratory technologist and technician professionals worked in hospitals. Such positions garnered a BLS-reported median annual salary of $57,580 as of 2012, with job growth estimated to increase by 22 percent through 2022.

Graduates of clinical lab sciences programs might also pursue potential career opportunities as medical scientists. Medical scientists might work to conduct studies investigating human diseases and preventative care, develop new medical equipment, or conduct research to ensure the safety of medications. The BLS reported a 2012 median annual salary of $76,980 for medical scientists, with estimated job growth of 13 percent through 2022.

Is a masters degree in clinical lab sciences right for you?

Lab science is an appealing field to many science-minded students because it balances hands-on learning in a laboratory setting with the flexibility to apply knowledge across a variety of industries. The upward projected growth of the industry means it may be a viable career option for those with an interest in health sciences who may not necessarily have an interest in enrolling in a traditional medical program.

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